No, It Wasn’t The Airplanes…

“King Kong”  (1933)  —  movie review
Today’s review is for the legendary adventure-fantasy “King Kong” (1933), directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and starring Fay Wray as Ann Darrow — the struggling actress whose scream and spirit become the emotional center of the film;  Robert Armstrong as Carl Denham — the bombastic, risk-hungry filmmaker whose ambition drives the entire expedition;  and Bruce Cabot as Jack Driscoll — the rugged first mate whose skepticism softens into loyalty and love.  Supporting roles include Frank Reicher as Captain Englehorn and Sam Hardy as Charles Weston.  With groundbreaking stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien and a thunderous score by Max Steiner, the film stands as one of the most influential works in cinema history.
Background:  Released in 1933 during the depths of the Great Depression, “King Kong” was a commercial sensation and a technical marvel.  Produced by RKO Radio Pictures, the film combined live-action, stop-motion animation, matte paintings, miniatures, and rear projection in ways never before attempted.  Max Steiner’s score — often cited as the first major Hollywood “thematic” soundtrack — helped define the language of film music.  Although the Academy Awards did not yet have categories for visual effects or original score, “King Kong” is widely regarded as a foundational work that shaped the future of special-effects filmmaking and blockbuster storytelling.  Its cultural footprint is enormous:  countless remakes, sequels, homages, and references trace their lineage back to this film.
Plot:  Carl Denham, a daring filmmaker known for exotic adventure pictures, recruits Ann Darrow off the streets of New York to star in his latest project.  He refuses to reveal their destination, but the crew soon learns they are bound for the mysterious Skull Island, a place rumored to harbor strange creatures and an indigenous tribe with a fearsome ritual.  Upon arrival, Ann is kidnapped by the island’s inhabitants and offered as a sacrifice to Kong, a colossal ape who rules the island’s prehistoric wilderness.   Jack Driscoll and the crew mount a rescue mission, battling dinosaurs, giant insects, and treacherous terrain.  Kong, smitten with Ann, protects her fiercely until he is ultimately subdued and transported back to New York as Denham’s “Eighth Wonder of the World.”   The film culminates in the iconic sequence atop the Empire State Building, where Kong, besieged by biplanes, falls to his death — prompting Denham’s famous final line:   “It was beauty killed the beast.”
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  earnest and era-appropriate;  revolutionary;  a few;  absolutely.
Any Good?  Yes.  “King Kong” remains a thrilling, imaginative, and emotionally resonant film.  Its blend of adventure, romance, horror, and spectacle still works remarkably well.  While some elements feel dated, the film’s ambition and artistry continue to impress.
Acting:  Fay Wray delivers an iconic performance as Ann Darrow, balancing vulnerability, terror, and charm.  Her “scream queen” legacy is well-earned, but she also brings warmth and humanity to the role.  Robert Armstrong’s Carl Denham is charismatic, reckless, and larger-than-life — a perfect embodiment of early Hollywood showmanship.  Bruce Cabot, in one of his earliest roles, provides a solid heroic presence as Jack Driscoll.  The supporting cast is serviceable, though the film’s emotional weight rests squarely on Wray and the animated Kong, whose expressive movements give him surprising personality and pathos.
Filming / FX:  This is where the film truly shines.  Willis O’Brien’s stop-motion animation is astonishing for its time and remains impressive today.  The integration of miniatures, matte paintings, and live-action footage was groundbreaking, creating a vivid and dangerous world on Skull Island.  Max Steiner’s score elevates the film’s tension and emotion, pioneering the use of leitmotifs and orchestral intensity in Hollywood cinema.  The Empire State Building climax is still one of the most iconic sequences ever filmed.  While modern viewers may notice the seams — visible matte lines, variable frame rates, and occasional jerky motion — these artifacts are part of the film’s charm and historical significance.
Problems:  A few.  The pacing in the early New York scenes is slow by modern standards.  Some performances lean toward melodrama, reflecting the acting style of the era.  The portrayal of Skull Island’s indigenous people is dated and “problematic” (racist), rooted in colonial stereotypes common in 1930s adventure films.  The effects, while groundbreaking, frequently show their age.  Still, these issues do little to diminish the film’s overall impact.
Did I Enjoy the Film?  Absolutely.  “King Kong” is a landmark of cinematic imagination — a film that helped define what movies could be.  Its blend of spectacle, emotion, and mythic storytelling remains compelling.  Even after ninety years, Kong’s final fall still evokes sympathy, awe, and a sense of tragic grandeur.  Long live the King!
Final Recommendation:  Very Highly Recommended.  “King Kong” (1933) is essential viewing for anyone interested in film history, special effects, or classic adventure storytelling.  Its influence on Hollywood blockbusters cannot be overstated, and its iconic imagery — from Skull Island’s monsters to the Empire State Building finale — remains embedded in popular culture.  Though some elements reflect the limitations and attitudes of its time, the film endures as a masterpiece of early cinema and a testament to the power of imagination.
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Click here (27 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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